Nikkei concept Waka is welcoming winter with a range of Japanese and Peruvian seasonal specialities, inspired by each country’s Christmas traditions. The two main dishes and two hot drinks will be on the festive menu at Waka, which has established itself as a popular Square Mile culinary destination since opening on Eastcheap in September.
The Nikkei Navidad Sushi Set is a festive fusion of Nikkei-style sushi featuring favourite Peruvian, Japanese and British Christmas ingredients. It comprises: Nikkei Salmon Roll with salmon, cream cheese and sweet peppers; Curry Roll with chicken katsu, carrots and curry sauce; and Cranberry Roll with turkey, cranberry sauce and mushroom, chestnut & dried fruit stuffing.
Drawing on the strange-but-true Japanese tradition of feasting on fried chicken at Christmas, Waka’s Chicken Katsu Curry hot bowl is a generous serving of deep-fried breadcrumbed chicken on a bed of steamed rice, topped with a spicy curry sauce made to Waka’s secret recipe. Waka’s best-selling dish since opening, it is the team’s recommendation for a Japanese-style Christmas treat.
Japan and Peru are each represented on the menu by a new hot drink, designed to ward off the winter cold. From the former comes a spicy Fuji Matcha Chai Latte combining matcha green tea, black tea, vanilla, spices, cane sugar and ginger, while Machu Cocoa, a richly satisfying blend of chocolate, clove, nutmeg and cinnamon, follows the Peruvian tradition of enjoying indulgent hot chocolate over Christmas.
As with all Waka’s menu, the seasonal specialities can be enjoyed in the beautiful basement dining room or to grab-and-go, making them the perfect choice for anyone craving a taste of Christmas but tired of the same old turkey-and-stuffing sandwiches.
The Nikkei Navidad Sushi Set (£5.85) will be available at Waka from 13th November until 29th December, the Fuji Matcha Latte and Machu Cocoa (both £2.95) from 13th November until 31st January 2018, and the Chicken Katsu Curry (£5.25) is available now.
